Andrei Arlovski continues to defy time. The former UFC heavyweight champion turned back the clock once again when he headlined BKFC KnuckleMania 6 in Philadelphia against Ben Rothwell, delivering a brutal title-winning performance. Fighting under the BKFC banner, the 47-year-old won the promotion’s heavyweight gold with a dominant third-round TKO, overwhelming Rothwell until the ringside physician was forced to intervene after a gruesome cut opened on Rothwell’s head.
The bout marked the third combat sports meeting between the two heavyweights, with Arlovski once again emerging victorious, having previously defeated Rothwell twice during their MMA careers. The win was made even more remarkable given Arlovski’s personal journey, as the former MMA standout has overcome cancer multiple times. His resilience did not go unnoticed, earning praise from BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor, who highlighted the significance of Arlovski’s latest achievement.
Andrei Arlovski Rolls Back the Years, Wins BKFC Heavyweight Title Against Ben Rothwell
During his post-fight interview, Andre Arlovski delivered a powerful message to cancer survivors around the world, drawing from his own journey as a three-time survivor. He said, “Guys, people who are in battle right now with fucking cancer, don’t fucking give up. I’m a great fucking example. Three-time cancer survivor. Keep fucking fighting. Life is beautiful.”
Following the brutal main event, Conor McGregor took to X to honor the newly crowned BKFC heavyweight champion. The BKFC part-owner and former UFC double champion wrote, “Andrei Arlovski, three-time Cancer Survivor, is now the Bareknuckle HW World Champ! Hero is an understatement!”
Andre Arlovski, 3 time Cancer Survivor, is now the Bareknuckle HW World Champ! Hero is an understatement! https://t.co/gMCpOEjvAy
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 8, 2026
ALSO READ: MMA World Erupts After Mario Bautista Dominates Vinicius Oliveira at UFC Vegas 113
From the opening bell, Arlovski backed up his promise to be the faster fighter, snapping Rothwell’s head back with his jab and consistently beating him to the punch. Every time Rothwell attempted to close the distance, Arlovski made him pay. A clean right hand midway through the fight sent Rothwell staggering across the ring, allowing Arlovski to clearly bank the round.
The momentum carried into the second, where Arlovski remained firmly in control. He nearly scored a knockdown late in the round, but the ropes kept Rothwell upright. Still, the damage was beginning to pile up, with Rothwell visibly wearing the punishment. Arlovski continued to slice up Rothwell’s face in the third, prompting the referee to step in at 1:14 into the round to stop the contest.
Andrei Arlovski: Guys, people who are in the battle right now with the fucking cancer, don’t fucking give up. I’m a great fucking example. Three times cancer survivor. Keep fucking fight. Life is beautiful. #BKFC #KnuckleManiaVI #KM6 pic.twitter.com/BMUla3dmbH
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 8, 2026
The bout marked the third meeting between the two veterans. Their first clash came at Affliction 1 in July 2008, where Arlovski secured a third-round TKO. More than a decade later, they ran it back at UFC on ESPN 4, with Arlovski once again emerging victorious by unanimous decision.
Since departing the UFC in 2024, Arlovski has yet to taste defeat in competition. The 47-year-old has now racked up four stoppage victories across multiple combat sports platforms, including two in BKFC, one under the Dirty Boxing Championship banner, and an exhibition boxing win with Misfits Boxing.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
